Temperature controlled head gear

ABSTRACT

A thermoregulatory unit, with a preferred use in combination with headwear, thereby defining a temperature controlled head gear comprising an article of headwear, and a thermally conductive pad in conductive association with the thermoregulatory unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present U.S. Non-Provisional patent application claims priority to and all benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “A Temperature Controlled Head Gear,” filed on Sep. 4, 2008, on behalf of inventor Cecil D. McKinney, and having assigned Ser. No. 61/094,389.

INTRODUCTION

Head gear is often used by individuals either to protect themselves against physical injury, whether a result of playing sports (i.e. footballer, motor bike rider) or due to an occupational hazard (i.e. fire fighter or army personnel). Head gear is also worn by individuals as protection against the sun's rays. Regardless of the type of head gear chosen, these head gear by itself still does not provide comfortable temperature regulation for the wearer, particularly during more extreme weather conditions, or when the head gear is worn during arduous physical activity. Thus, there is a need for a head gear that allows for temperature regulation inside the head gear in either hot or cold climates.

A thermoregulatory system for cooling or heating head gear is described. The system can regulate the temperature of a helmet or other head gear, providing increased comfort and safety. The primary preferred focus of the temperature regulation is directed at brain stem temperature, rather than at core body temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a headgear in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the inside back of a helmet, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the inside back of another helmet, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outside back of a helmet, in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a side view of a temperature regulation device, according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5A; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5A, shown installed on a helmet strap.

DESCRIPTION OF TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED HEAD GEAR

The present invention provides a thermoregulatory system for a head gear for cooling or warming the head of the wearer.

Referring to FIG. 1 showing a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the thermoregulatory system, a temperature controlled head gear comprises a protective helmet 10 and a pad containing a thermally conductive material, such as synthetic oil or a thermal gel. Examples of thermal gels include, but are not limited to, gels such as those found in various reusable gel packs or hot and cold packs. Such gels can retain a cold or hot temperature, and remain pliable after being subjected to freezing temperatures or microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven for a sufficient period of time. Other gels are those based on the gelation of xanthan gum, locust bean gum, gum tragacanth, guar gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, absorbent polymers, and the like. For example, the gel can be based on a high molecular weight polyacrylic acid cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether, or comprise an absorbent cross-linked sodium polymer and water. Preferably, the gel is one that can be repeatedly heated and cooled, with no appreciable decrease in performance. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the thermally conductive pad is a gel pad 12.

The gel pad 12 can be positioned and attached at the rear, front, a side, or roof of the helmet. In preferred embodiments, the gel pad is located at the rear of the helmet where it can cool/heat the hack of the wearer's neck. The gel pad allows heat to be conducted from the surface of the wearer's head to a thermoregulatory unit 14, and is permanently or reversibly attached to the thermoregulatory unit to allow heat to be conducted from the gel pad to the environment. The protective helmet can be, but is not limited to, a helmet used by footballer players, motor bike riders, pedal bike riders, race car drivers, construction workers, army personnel, police personnel, or the like.

In other embodiments, a sport cap or brimmed hat can be used as a head gear. As with a helmet, a pad of thermally conductive material can he positioned either at the rear, front, side, or roof of the cap or hat. A thermoregulatory unit is situated in close proximity with the pad to allow conduction of heat between pad and the environment. Examples of sport caps include, but are not limited to, golf caps, baseball caps, fashion caps, or the like, which can be made of conventional cloth or other well known materials. Examples of brimmed hats can include, but are not limited to, golf hats, hiking hats, fashion hats, or the like, which can be made of materials such as cloth, plastic, leather, straw-like material, or other well known materials.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermoregulatory unit comprises a thermoelectric in the form of a peltier chip 16 which is located on the inside of the helmet, and a heat sink and fan assembly 18 on the outside of the helmet for dissipation of the heat/cold exhaust. In this embodiment, the heat sink and fan assembly is placed over an exhaust port or vent cut into the helmet, which provides a passageway for air to or from the environment. Preferably, the pettier chip and gel pad are also located near or over the exhaust port or vent. FIG. 2 is an underside view showing the inside of the helmet, and showing the heat sink and fan assembly on the outside back of helmet FIG. 3 is an underside view a peltier chip 16 attached to the inside of a helmet.

A pettier chip is a thermoelectric based on semiconductor materials that utilize the Peltier effect, in which heat is radiated or absorbed at the junction of two dissimilar metals depending upon the direction of a small current that passes through the junction. When DC is applied to one direction, a first surface of the peltier chip serves as a cooling surface for absorbing heat and second surface of the chip serves as a radiating surface for radiating heat. When the current is reversed, the first surface becomes the heating surface while the second surface becomes the cooling surface. Using a thermoelectric in the heating mode is very efficient because all the internal heating (Joulian heat) and the load from the cold side are pumped to the hot side. This reduces the power needed to achieve the desired heating.

Thermoelectric elements can be stacked one on top of the other to achieve even lower temperatures. Thus, certain embodiments have multiply stacked peltier chips arranged in a thermoregulatory unit. In other embodiments, two or more thermoregulatory units are arranged at various locations inside a head gear, with each unit containing a single pettier chip or multiply stacked pettier chips. In general, the size and the number of the thermoregulatory unit can be selected to match the requirements of the type of head gear worn. For instance, a larger thermoregulatory unit could be used to regulate the temperature of a fire-fighter's helmet.

A thermoregulatory unit can be powered by various means. For example, a head gear can be powered by one or more batteries, such as a 9 volt battery or two AA sized batteries (see FIG. 4 showing a 9 volt battery attached to the outside back of a helmet and powering a thermoregulatory unit). In such embodiments, each battery can be releasably attached to the head gear, allowing ready battery replacement, and can be rechargeable. In other embodiments, the thermoregulatory unit can be powered by solar energy, via the solar panels/strips, which can be located on the outside of the head gear. In yet other embodiments, the thermoregulatory unit can he powered via a cigarette lighter outlet or other power outlets found in a motor vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, a power cord 20 can connect a thermoregulatory unit to its power source.

In accordance with the present invention, thermoregulatory unit can be manually controlled by the wearer of the head gear, or automatically controlled using a control unit.

It is understood that the position of the control unit can be at various locations in or on the head gear. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is releasably attached to the thermoregulatory unit. The control unit can comprise a temperature sensor (sensor 22 in FIG. 1), such as a thermistor or solid-state sensor, and a closed-loop control circuit to control/regulate the temperature. Using a thermistor, or example, the regulatory unit can be designed to determine the current temperature within the head gear enclosure, and then determine if the thermoelectric unit should he placed in a COOL, HEAT or OFF mode. When the sensor detects an over temperature condition within the enclosure, the thermoregulatory unit can be activated to begin cooling the air inside the enclosure. Alternatively, when the sensor detects an under temperature condition within the enclosure, the unit can he activated to begin heating, the air. In another embodiment, a temperature can be selected and the unit will turn itself on and off accordingly.

The control unit can include LED type indicators or other indicators for indicating variables including, but not limited to, internal and external temperature, mode, and settings, and battery condition for full charge, low charge and discharged. The control unit can also include one or more switches for overriding the controller and manually setting temperature, and for turning the thermoregulatory unit on and off. The switches associated with the control unit can take on a variety of forms, such as a three-position switch, which can he set to COOL, HEAT, or OFF positions, with the current being constant, but the direction being alterable. In a more complex scheme, the switch can be in the form of a temperature dial, including electronic logic controls through which the user can select a desired temperature range. In certain embodiments, the switches can adjust the amount of current flowing to vary the amount of heat transfer. In other embodiments, the control unit can include a timer which allows a user to set the thermoregulatory unit to automatically start-up or shut-down at a desired time.

A cover can be included over any or all external elements of the thermoregulatory unit, such as the heat sink and fan assembly, battery pack, power cord, and thermistor. The cover preferably has vents to provide heat exchange with the fan. In the preferred embodiments, the cover measures 4 inches by 4 inches, with a vent for heat exchange.

In a preferred embodiment, the peltier chip is a 3 volt chip, and the control unit has LED indicators on the exterior of the helmet displaying battery conditions for full charge, low charge and discharge.

It should he noted that a preferred application for the present device is directed to the cooling of the blood flow to the brain through utilization of a light weight cooling device attached to, for example, the helmet strap of military personnel, such as depicted in FIG. 6. In such manner, cooling a small area at the back of the neck can effectively keep the brain cooler, reducing stress and maintaining a normal reflex response time, even in high temperature environments where reflex deterioration can be a disadvantageous occurrence. Similarly, and inversely, another preferred application for the present device is directed to warming of the blood flow to the brain, such as in extreme cold environments. The brain stem is adjoined structurally with the spinal cord, such that the direct application of cooling proximate the juncture can assist in maintaining the functionality of related motor and sensory systems, cardiac and respiratory function, as well as regulation of the central nervous system.

Preferably, contact with the wearer is delivered at 75 degrees; however, it is preferred that the device temperature be adjustable, and be able to be set by the wearer to heat or cool, as desired. The preferred manner of installation and carriage proximate a strap facilitates proper positioning relative to the brain stern, and easy adaptation of existing headgear and eliminates the need for introduction of any additional apertures in protective headgear. This feature beneficially eliminates an increased risk of potential head injury by avoiding breach of the headgear protective surface and shell. The preferred structure of the device that enables this benefit is a cold pack in bonded contact with a cooling chip, wherein the heat side of the chip is preferably in contact with a dynamic heat assembly that transfers the heat to a small fan and heat sink assembly mounted on the year. This structure is generally depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. 

1. A temperature controlled head gear device, comprising: an article of headwear; a thermally conductive pad positioned for direct contact with the device wearer; a thermoregulatory unit, said thermoregulatory unit in conductive association with said thermally conductive pad; a power source for said thermoregulatory unit; a heat sink and fan assembly carried by said article of headwear; and a control unit for said thermoregulatory unit, said control unit further comprising a temperature sensor.
 2. A thermoregulatory unit, comprising: at least one peltier chip; a power source; and a control unit. 